Abstract
This paper presents the major activities carried out in Europe in the field of Electric Propulsion. Four lines of development are presently pursued. Two different models from the RIT family of radio-frequency ion thrusters are being developed in Germany. The RIT-10 thruster, operating in the thrust range of 10 mN, is due to be flight tested on board of the European Retrievable Carrier EURECA in 1988. A scaled-up version of this thruster, the RIT-35, is under development and it is mainly intended as the basic element of an Electric Propulsion Module for future interplanetary missions. Field Emission Electric Propulsion (FEEP) and Magneto-Plasma Dynamic (MPD) thrusters are also undergoing extensive research and testing. The paper describes the research, development and qualification programmes associated with the electric propulsion systems mentioned above and the work done by European industries and Universities. Finally an account is given of future interplanetary missions for which the use of primary electric propulsion is envisaged.
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